mob
mob Lexical Profile
mob Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, disorderly, and often unruly crowd of people, especially one intent on causing trouble or violence.
"An angry mob gathered outside the courthouse demanding immediate justice."
A large organized crime syndicate, such as the Mafia, or a specific gang of criminals.
"Federal prosecutors spent years building a case against the local mob."
Australian A flock, herd, or drove of livestock or wild animals, such as sheep, cattle, or kangaroos; also used by Aboriginal Australians to refer to an extended family group, clan, or community.
"A large mob of kangaroos bounded across the dusty outback plain at dusk."
• verb
To crowd around someone or into a place in an unruly, excited, or hostile way.
"Enthusiastic fans mobbed the lead singer as soon as she stepped out of the theater."
To gather in a flock or group to swoop on and harass a predator in order to drive it away (used especially of smaller birds).
"Several noisy crows began to mob the hawk perched near their nesting tree."
• Rhymes for mob
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 17th century as a colloquial clipping of the Latin phrase mobile vulgus, meaning "the fickle or excitable common crowd." Originally considered vulgar slang by writers like Jonathan Swift, it quickly entered standard English.